Double Mouth (Morgan Bay Coast)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Double Mouth is an exposed Wild Coast reef break near Morgan Bay, best known for producing reasonably consistent surf through the southern winter. Conditions tend to be much more favorable from June through August, while summer can be mostly flat. Waves are primarily a right-hand reef break with good overall quality when the swell and wind match. Northwest winds are described as offshore and help groom the wave faces, but onshore breeze can blow the surf out. Forecasted wind performance for the spot’s best period also indicates a high “blown” component compared with clean days, so short-term conditions and timing matter. On larger swells, the break holds up but becomes very heavy—appropriately suited to advanced surfers. Hazards are a major theme: sharp rocks, sharks, and strong rip currents are all reported, along with the overall remoteness of the location and lack of lifeguard support. Access is via the N2 and the R349 to Morgan Bay, followed by Beach Road into the Double Mouth Nature Reserve area. The area is nature-reserve/camp oriented (permits/fees may apply), and medical facilities are in East London (about 90 km away), so coming prepared with a complete kit and first-aid supplies is strongly recommended.
- Exposed Wild Coast reef break with winter consistency
- Northwest winds commonly offshore and groom wave faces
- Rocks, sharks, and rip currents; advanced/experienced conditions on bigger swells
- Reasonably consistent right-hand reef break with best surf in June–August.
- Northwest winds are commonly offshore/grooming, improving wave faces when conditions line up.
- Surf is exposed reef and can become very heavy on bigger swells.
- Hazards include rocks, sharks, and rip currents; the spot is remote with no lifeguards.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Providers also describe seasonal offshore/cleaner windows; spot-level wind is northwest.
- Reliability
- fair (also reported as ~56% blown, 35% clean, 9% small for the best period)
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Spot-level gusts described as moderate.
- Best Months
- June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs can create wind shadows near the launch.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Mixed — Some providers describe mixed beach composition; reef-focused break.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Big — Reported as big; summer can be mostly flat.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline with a small sandy entry section for getting in.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Rocky entry and exposed reef access make launches difficult.
Through the year
Generally quiet year-round; campsite can be busier during school holidays.
November–February (summer)
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break on the Wild Coast producing reasonably consistent right-hand waves in winter; summer can be mostly flat. Larger swells tend to be heavy and more demanding.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSW, SW, SSE
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide indicated as optimal by one provider.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open/exposed reef conditions; not sheltered from wind.
- Wind Effect
- Best with northwest winds behaving offshore and grooming the wave faces; onshore breeze can blow the surf out.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds large swells well, but the wave becomes very heavy and is expert-focused on bigger sets.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Reported as good quality (with consistency especially in winter).
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Spot-level wave power described as powerful; also noted as heavy on larger swells.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling wave shape noted for the right-hand reef break.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Spot-level peeling described as fast.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides typically medium; connecting correctly can extend length.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical ride distances reported as about 50 to 150 meters when waves connect correctly.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Double Mouth (Morgan Bay Coast) in the full forecast view.
Double Mouth (Morgan Bay Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–17 ktsGusts 33 kts
- Direction
- E81°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 3017 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.4–3.0 m8s period
- Temperature
- 16–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, Double Mouth (Morgan Bay Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Friday, October 30 with gusts to 33 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 1.4–3.0 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Sharks
- Rip currents
- Remoteness
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported at the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level rescue availability reported as no; regional sea rescue is coordinated by NSRI in nearby Kei Mouth.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in East London (~90 km away). Use 112 from mobile phones for emergencies.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No specific localism/access friction noted at the spot level.
Rules of the spot
Use marine protected area / nature reserve rules where applicable (permits/fees for camping may apply; no unauthorized motorized vehicles).
- Marine protected area rules apply
- No unauthorized motorized vehicles on the beach
- The spot is extremely remote—bring all necessary gear and a first aid kit.
- Watch for “beads” on the beach (remnants from a 16th-century shipwreck).
- If you plan to camp/enter, confirm nature reserve requirements before arrival.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- East London
- Nearest Town
- Morgan Bay
- Parking
- Parking available at the Double Mouth campsite area.
- Public Transport
- Extremely limited; private vehicle essential
- Access
- From East London, follow the N2 north toward Mthatha, then take the R349 (signposted Haga Haga/Kei Mouth) to Morgan Bay; from there, Beach Road leads to Double Mouth Nature Reserve.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, isiXhosa, Afrikaans
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Accommodation around Morgan Bay; the Double Mouth campsite is directly at/near the spot.
- Food & Drink
- None at the spot; nearest supplies in Morgan Bay.
- Equipment Rental:
- None available locally; bring your own gear.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Dramatic 50-meter dolerite cliffs dropping into the ocean; popular for sundowners and hiking.
Local collection showcasing diverse marine life and shells found along the Wild Coast.
Multi-day coastal hiking trail passing through the region with beaches and estuaries.
Car-transporting river ferry, providing access to the deeper Wild Coast.
Local gathering spot for meals and drinks overlooking the bay.
Guided beach and cliff-top horse rides suitable for various experience levels.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Double Mouth (Morgan Bay Coast)?
The best overall months at Double Mouth (Morgan Bay Coast) are June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Double Mouth (Morgan Bay Coast)?
Double Mouth (Morgan Bay Coast) works with NW winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What skill level is Double Mouth (Morgan Bay Coast) suitable for?
Double Mouth (Morgan Bay Coast) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.